Tesla CEO Michael Marks announced in a letter sent to Tesla customers that production of the company’s all-electric Roadster sports car would be delayed. Originally schedule for production as early as this month, Tesla now plans to build and deliver the first 50 Roadsters in the first quarter of 2008. Marks also said the company intends to build a total of 650 Roadsters by the end of 2008.
The letter did, however, contain some good news for Roadster customers. The sports car achieved a combined EPA cycle of 245 miles on a single charge. Earlier reports expected the Roadster to return mileage in the 200 mile range.
According to the letter, the Roadster has also passed side-impact crash tests, the only tests not passed by earlier prototypes. Marks also confirmed in the letter that the Roadster can accelerate from 0-60 in under 4 seconds.
The Tesla Roadster could prove to be very pivotal to the electric car’s future. The general public widely regards “green” vehicles as boring modes of transportation, but with a sub 4 second 0-60 time, the Roadster could show the potential for zero-emissions performance. While the electric car is still in its infancy — as shown by the Roadster’s continual production delays — Tesla could be giving us a glimpse into the future.
09/26, 8:52 AM
posted by:
Deanster
Awesome! It’s like a giant version of the electric slotcars from our youth. What’s this supposed to cost?
09/26, 8:54 AM
posted by:
driver54
Tesla said $100K.
09/26, 9:03 AM
posted by:
MikeFX
Does hitting 0-60 in 4 seconds instantly drain the batteries? Since we know that an IC engine’s EPA mileage rating plummets with a heavy foot, I wonder how aggressive driving affects the Tesla’s 245 mile range.
Otherwise, this is very exciting! The sedan coming next could even shave some of those crazy acceleration times for more range and keep it in the expected
09/26, 9:07 AM
posted by:
A4
figures its delayed
09/26, 9:11 AM
posted by:
Rotman
How long does the recharging process take?
09/26, 9:30 AM
posted by:
Commodore
Another delay? Oh well, this is a great car and it is truly eco-friendly, not some gasoline-powered electrically-suplemented POS ugly ass thing.
And a random bonus for it all? It is American.
09/26, 9:48 AM
posted by:
WEKS
American or not, this really thing really does sound too good to be true, I hope it isn’t.
09/26, 9:52 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Cool thing is Tesla has planned a sports sedan with the same or similar mechanicals to hopefully come out 2010 or 2011 and slot against (I believe) the 5 series. It’s also supposed to be in the 45k range, to maybe 50k. I think they already have land in New Mexico or Arizona for the production facility.
Tesla is the only company taking a truly fresh and exciting approach to this. Second is GM with the Volt.
09/26, 10:02 AM
posted by:
autonut
Since first customers will be Hollywood elite, I wonder is this mileage apt for L.A. traffic? At 100K it is a trendy second/third/fourth car, but try to support family and drive this to work if you don’t have Hollywood looks or brains to make this kind of dough.
09/26, 11:22 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
I wanna put my tongue on the battery.
09/26, 11:34 AM
posted by:
Deanster
Commodore, it’s not really eco-friendly. Where does the electricity come from?
To find out, take a fork and stick it in a socket.
09/26, 12:13 PM
posted by:
MikeFX
Autonut: Yeah, none of us can afford this thing, but as I pointed out, and RicardoHead also sees, is the that this is just a test bed for a more affordable sedan to come later on. The first of any new tech is always pricey, and how smart of Tesla to have the first offering be an impractial sports car. Those on any kind of a budget would not consider a car like this anyway.
09/26, 1:13 PM
posted by:
Veda
“And a random bonus for it all? It is American.”
Holy crap Commodore, do you have to put some patriotic bs in every post?
09/26, 1:17 PM
posted by:
gilby7
HA, Madcapp, excellent. This has to be more of a prototype…type of vehicle isn’t it? Sort of like all the technology that comes from NASA and programs like that? I mean, it wouldn’t be economically beneficial for a consumer to pay $100,000 (the few that could afford it) for a car that gets the equilivent of 200 mpg, but more for testing theories and “inventing” technologies so that in the future, electric vehicles will be able to be more affordable for the average consumer?
09/26, 1:30 PM
posted by:
Veda
Well rather than getting an M6, I’d make myself a guinea pig for this Tesla stuff. The exclusivity is a major added bonus along with the Ferrari perfomance.
09/26, 11:30 PM
posted by:
Commodore
Deanster – cars are and will always be the biggest source of pollution in the world. Even if they run on clean burning sources and emit nothing from their ass, the methods of getting those sources will always cause-pollution. Electricity is one of our best options. What would you suggest we do? Prive a gasoline-powered Prius that takes millions of gallons of oil to be transported across the Pacific and takes 7 years of ownership to get any benefit? Exactly
09/26, 11:32 PM
posted by:
Commodore
Veda – O, I apologize I didn’t mean to offend you with my “patriotic bull****”?
Why do you care, I am not saying go buy it because its American, it’s just nice that eco-friendly people can get excited about something made by our own country rather than Japanese products (which are the poster children for the environment when this thing does more for the environment than all of them combined)
09/27, 6:38 AM
posted by:
Get Real
When we all drive electric, the environmental freeks will tell us to ride a bike or walk and live in tall Soviet style block houses to save the world.
Ask an environmentalist to commit suicide, they will stop expelling CO2 and help save the world….one breath at a time.
09/27, 12:52 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
You know I’m on a slick trip.
I’m always ready to kick ass.
Up on the stage I’m in a rage.
Yes, I’m havin’ the time of my life.
Yes, indeed. What a sweet, sweet life it is,
Until some loco two-bit floosie
With a Louie Le-strange.
Ain’t good for nothin’ but trouble,
They’re just two fools livin’ up to their names.
And now it’s startin’ to rain on my parade.
09/27, 12:55 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
CO2 is not bad. Plants need it
09/29, 4:11 PM
posted by:
BLISS
I HOPE THEY START PRODUCTION SOON…..CONGRATULATION.